Lots of things have happened since last time I wrote. Last week it was training as usual and I have been riding a horse for Markus which is for sale. He’s a six year old Westphalian, bred to jump but is showing talent at dressage. His neck is a bit tight at times so working him long and low is really helping the basics but I am also enjoying teaching him his changes. Rocco’s simple changes are feeling nearly established, and he’s on really good form at the moment.
Last week I was in Hagen watching the Bundesbank Championship Qualifiers for five and six year olds. The horses must score an overall 8 or higher in order to qualify, with a mark for walk, trot, canter, overall impression and submission. In Germany these classes are very tough as the judges are really looking for three top gaits. For instance you may see a horse with a fantastic walk and canter but an average trot and they will not give it an 8 because the trot isn’t good enough.
Markus was competing Riva, a mare belonging to his client Marne. The pair scored a 7.5 - it was a good test but just a little bit green. They have some more qualifiers coming up and I am sure they will soon qualify, but the standard of the class in Hagen was really high. Only four horses qualified and the winner was a mare that scored an 8.8 and showed so much potential for the future. I had a great time at the show and the weather was a fantastic 29c!!
Unfortunately Domino and I will miss the show in Cloppenburg, which I have been looking forward to so much. We have both been accident prone and now we are both injured! I rode a different horse and must have had my stirrups slightly shorter, then the next day my knee felt really sore. The swelling got so big and walking was so difficult that I had to go to the hospital. The doctor said I had pulled my big tendon, the one that runs above and below the knee cap. He thinks just one week’s rest with ice and I will be back to normal and riding again. I hope so because walking with crutches is not as easy as it looks!
Domino, bless him, we think has been cast overnight, panicked and torn a muscle in his back. We hope it isn’t too serious and again he will have to rest like me for a short time. On a positive note it was my birthday on Sunday, I am now 23! It was a gorgeous day and I had a wonderful time.